You Talkin' to Me? Of Giants, Cowboys, and a swan song

This may be it for us Talkin', so make it sing. Or not.

I was talking with a couple of my New York writer friends on Sunday, and one of them honestly thinks that the Eagles are in the Giants' heads after what the Birds did at Giants Stadium in those two games last season. All the evidence you need, my friend said, was Sunday's 40-17 rout. The Giants are mental milk toast.

What do you make of what happened on Sunday? And do you think the Eagles think they are in the Giants' heads?

From: Brookover, Bob

To: Fox, Ashley; McLane, Jeff

Re: Head games

It's a long season. The Giants have two huge problems right now, and they have nothing to do with the Eagles. One is they can't protect Eli Manning and if you hit him, he will crumble under the pressure. The other is their vaunted defensive line isn't getting the same pressure it has in the past, which exposes a pedestrian secondary, especially without cornerback Aaron Ross.

From: McLane, Jeff

To: Brookover, Bob; Fox, Ashley

Re: Head games

In their heads? I don't think so. That's just a tired and old sports cliché that rarely happens, especially in football. Does Tiger Woods get into the heads of most of his golfing competitors? Sure. But I can't see how the Andy Reids have gotten into the collective head of the Tom Coughlins. Also, I'm not sure if that could physically happen.

From: Fox, Ashley

To: Brookover, Bob; McLane, Jeff

Re: Head games

You guys are no fun. It's a much juicier story to say the Eagles have taken up residence in the Giants' psyche. Then again, my "friend" who proffered that idea works for the New York Post, which lives for juice. Look at their Shane Victorino pre-Series cover. Not that I was a fan of that. What is hip or cool about putting down a player by making him look like a girl? That's so tired. And unnecessary. But I digress.

How do you think the Eagles respond this week, considering you're never as good, or as bad, as you think you are? And look ahead to the Cowboys. What do you predict will happen in that one?

From: McLane, Jeff

To: Brookover, Bob; Fox, Ashley

Re: Head games

We used to be fun. Brookie used to do unsolicited cartwheels at a moment's notice. But we've been beaten down by [fill in the blank].

As for Philly-Dallas, I think we may finally (please!) get a good, close game. But what do I know? I had the Giants over the Birds and the Phils over the Yanks.

By the way, I just realized, Ashley, what you meant by this possibly being our last Talkin'. If the Phils lose, we're back to talking among ourselves. It's the only reason to root for an early end to the Series.

From: Brookover, Bob

To: Fox, Ashley; McLane, Jeff

Re: Head games

As Ashley and Bob Ford know, I do somersaults, not cartwheels. Do them pretty well, too. My nickname is Rolling Thunder. Jeff is right, however. Our faces are scarred by all the blog, blog, blogging and our relentless pursuit of news, news, news.

I can't believe this could be our last Talkin'. Do you think Cliff Lee understands the pressure he's under to save this Talkin' team? I refuse to discuss Eagles-Cowboys unless we're promised one more chat together. My life now revolves around these sessions. They're much cheaper than my therapist.

From: Fox, Ashley

To: Brookover, Bob; McLane, Jeff

Re: Head games

I needed a therapist after watching your last somersault, Brookie.